Ship Happens Setup Guide
Learn how to install, configure, and use Ship Happens to reduce delivery anxiety and improve your customer experience.
What is Ship Happens?
Ship Happens is a simple Shopify plugin that lets your customers select their preferred delivery partners on the checkout or thank-you page. By giving customers control over their delivery preferences, you reduce anxiety and improve satisfaction.
Customer Choice
Let customers pick their preferred carriers
Easy Setup
Install and configure in minutes
Better CX
Reduce delivery anxiety, improve satisfaction
Step 1: Installation
Find Ship Happens in the Shopify App Store
Search for "Ship Happens" in the Shopify App Store or use our direct link.
https://apps.shopify.com/ship-happens
Click "Add app" Button
Click the green "Add app" button on the listing page. You'll be redirected to your Shopify admin to confirm installation.
Approve Required Permissions
Ship Happens needs minimal permissions to function:
- Read order information (to display on thank-you page)
- Add scripts to your checkout/thank-you pages
- Store preference settings
Installation Complete!
Once installed, you'll be redirected to the Ship Happens configuration page in your Shopify admin.
Step 2: Configuration
Display Settings
Choose Display Location
Select where you want the delivery preference selector to appear:
- Checkout Page: Shows during checkout process
- Thank You Page: Shows after order completion
- Both: Maximum visibility and flexibility
Widget Title
Customize the headline text. Default: "Select Your Preferred Delivery Partner"
Widget Description
Add helpful text to explain the feature. Example: "We'll do our best to ship with your preferred carrier when possible."
Delivery Partners Setup
Add Your Delivery Partners
Add the carriers you work with. Common options include:
Set Default Option
Choose whether to pre-select your most common carrier or show "No Preference" as default.
Visual Customization
Match Your Brand
Customize colors to match your store:
- Primary button color
- Text color
- Background color
- Border styles
Step 3: Best Practices
DO: Be Transparent
Clearly state that preferences are taken into consideration but not guaranteed. This sets realistic expectations.
DO: Know Your Audience
If you primarily use one carrier, consider showing the widget only on the thank-you page to avoid confusion.
DO: Test on Mobile
Most shoppers are on mobile. Make sure the widget looks good and is easy to use on small screens.
DO: Track Results
Monitor customer feedback and satisfaction scores after implementing to measure impact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't promise specific carriers if you can't guarantee them
- Don't include carriers you never use - keep the list realistic
- Don't make the widget mandatory - always include a "No Preference" option
- Don't forget to update the list when you add/remove carrier partnerships
How It Works for Customers
Customer Completes Purchase
They proceed through your standard checkout flow
Preference Widget Appears
On checkout or thank-you page (based on your settings)
Customer Selects Preference
They choose their preferred carrier or "No Preference"
Preference Saved
Selection is stored with the order for fulfillment team reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ship Happens integrate with my shipping software?
Ship Happens stores customer preferences with the order data. You can access these preferences through your Shopify admin or via API to inform your shipping decisions. Direct integration with specific shipping software may require additional setup.
Can I make carrier selection mandatory?
We recommend always including a "No Preference" option. Making selection mandatory can create friction in the checkout process and potentially reduce conversions.
Will this slow down my checkout?
No. Ship Happens is lightweight and loads asynchronously. It won't impact your page load times or checkout performance.
Can I customize the widget appearance?
Yes! You can customize colors, text, and styling to match your store's brand. Advanced users can also add custom CSS for further customization.
How do I access customer preferences after they're submitted?
Preferences are saved as order notes/metafields. You can view them in your Shopify admin order details or access them via the Shopify API for automated workflows.
Need Help?
We're here to help you get the most out of Ship Happens
Response time: 24-48 hours